New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine’s approval rating has plunged to a negative 35 – 42
percent, including a negative 31 – 46 percent approval for the way he is
handling the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released
today.

This latest negative score compares to a 43 - 21 percent overall
approval by New Jersey voters, with 36 percent undecided, in a March 16 poll by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 41 percent of
New Jersey voters list taxes as the most important problem in the state,
followed by politicians/corruption at 8 percent, and the state budget, education
and the economy at 7 percent each.

When asked specifically about the state’s budget problems 91 percent say they
are “very serious” or “somewhat serious.”

“Nothing kills a political honeymoon faster than the word taxes. As soon as
Gov. Corzine proposed a hike in the state sales tax, his negatives skyrocketed
from 14 percent in late January to 42 percent now, ” said Clay F. Richards,
assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“Except in the cities his approval rating is in negative territory statewide.”

By a 65 – 19 percent margin, New Jersey voters say increase state taxes rather
than local property taxes. Support is consistent among Democrats, Republicans
and independent voters.

A total of 36 percent of New Jersey voters describe the state’s economy as
“excellent” or “good,” with 61 percent who say the economy is “not so
good” or “poor.”
In other tax and budget issues:

Voters say 60 – 33 percent that hiking the state sales tax from 6 percent
to 7 percent is not needed to balance the budget;

50 percent say state aid to local school districts should be kept the same,
while 36 percent say it should be increased and 9 percent say it should be
decreased.

“Even though nearly all the voters agree that Corzine inherited the state's
budget problem, 60 percent say the sales tax hike is not necessary and less
than a third approve of the new governor's handling of the budget,” Richards
said. “At the same time, voters take the seemingly contradictory position of
backing a hike in state taxes to avoid the almost inevitable property tax hike
that would occur as a result of Corzine holding the line on aid to public schools
and local governments.”

Stem Cell Research

New Jersey voters support stem cell research 73 – 15 percent, with Republican
support at 61 – 27 percent. By a 53 – 37 percent margin, voters support
legislation to spend up to $250 million on stem cell research in New Jersey.

Voters are divided 47 – 46 percent in their support for legislation allowing
drug users to get clean needles as a way to combat the spread of HIV and other
diseases.

From April 18 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,414 registered voters with
a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut,
Florida and nationally as a public service and for research.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as
Governor?

15. Proposed legislation would allow intravenous drug users to exchange used
needles for clean needles. Backers say it will decrease the spread of disease,
especially HIV infection, while opponents say it would encourage drug use.
Do you support or oppose this needle exchange program?

20. To balance the state budget, Governor Corzine has proposed raising the
state sales tax from 6 to 7 percent. Do you think this increase in the state
sales tax is necessary to balance the budget or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 33% 25% 40% 34% 35% 32%
No 60 70 54 58 60 60
DK/NA 7 5 6 8 6 7

Philly
Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore

Yes 34% 36% 38% 28% 29%
No 59 58 51 66 65
DK/NA 7 6 10 7 6

21. Governor Corzine has proposed increasing property tax rebates in New Jersey
by 10 percent to an average of $385 per home. Do you support or oppose this
proposal?

22. To balance the state budget, Governor Corzine proposes no increases in
either state aid to local governments or in state aid to school districts.
Do you think state aid to local governments and school districts should be
increased, decreased, or kept about the same?

23. To balance the state budget, Governor Corzine proposes no increases in
either state aid to local governments or in state aid to school districts.
This could result in higher local property taxes to pay for increased costs
for local schools and local government.

If you had to choose, would you prefer increasing local property taxes or
increasing state taxes?